Altay Mountains

Overview

Introduction

The Altay Mountains, 430 mi/700 km northeast of Almaty, present some of the most unspoiled beauty in Central Asia—waterfalls, forests and meadows rather than the stark flatlands that you'll see in the rest of the country. Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia and Russia meet at the 14,800-ft-/4,500-m-high pinnacle of Mount Belukha, which is part of the range. According to ancient Buddhists, Belukha is a pole of spiritual energy connected to Tibet and the Pamir Mountains; anyone who climbs Belukha will be blessed with longevity and health.

Request Full Destination Guide

To request access to the full version of this destination guide, please provide your email address below. Your email address will only be used for verification purposes and will not be used for marketing purposes.